Marijuana Addiction

Many people are under the assumption that marijuana causes no signs or symptoms of addiction. This may be due to a comparison of marijuana and other drugs: cannabis is simply not as harmful as harder drugs such as cocaine, heroin, or morphine. There may also be more of a lax attitude towards this drug due to the sweeping reform that is currently running through the policies in America. Marijuana is the most commonly used and abused illegal drug in the United States and its use is only surpassed by nicotine and alcohol.

Experiences with marijuana are by no means universal; some users experience feelings of happiness and joy while others experience intense anxiety, delusions, distrust, and panic.

Long-Term Effects of Marijuana

Some brain scans suggest reduced volume of specific brain regions involved in executive functioning such as memory, learning, and impulse control compared to individuals that do not use the drug. Other studies suggest altered connectivity in certain areas of the brain. The most impactful aspect of marijuana is usually the negative effects on short-term memory and cognitive functioning, as well as altered states of REM sleep.

What Does Marijuana Detox Look Like?

While the physical symptoms of marijuana withdrawal are minor compared to harder drugs, the psychological addiction is no joke. If you or a loved one has been using for an extended period of time (months or years) it may be difficult to quit on your own. Many people that have gone through marijuana addiction and marijuana withdrawal report the following symptoms:

Strange dreams
Stomach pains
Sleeping difficulty
Nervousness and/or anxiety
Restlessness
Increased anger, aggression, and irritation
Headaches
Depressed mood
Drug cravings
Decreased appetite

Headaches were reported in almost 30% of individuals that chose to detox from marijuana.

Many users report serious signs of depression after stopping the use of this drug. Whether the cessation of the marijuana caused the depression or whether the depression was simply masked by the high is up for debate and varies widely depending on the individual. We recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (Advil, Aspirin) to deal with the side effects. There has also been a startling number of people that

Marijuana Detox

Detox varies based on a few factors:

An individual’s metabolism
The amount and frequency of use
Your age, gender, weight, and level of health
How long an individual has been using the substance